From the Logbook: 2010 Toyota 4Runner

The Toyota 4Runner was once a mainstay of the midsized SUV market. Think about this claim from Toyota’s Web site: there are more 10-, 15-, or 20-year-old 4Runners still on the road than any other equal-aged midsized SUV. Heck, the first Ford Explorer had just rolled out of the factory 20 years ago. Pilots, Highlanders, Traverses, Flexes--they weren’t even around 10 years ago, much less 15 or 20.

But time marches on, even if a nameplate manages to stick around. With the shift to car-based platforms, the truck-based body-on-frame 4Runner has moved to being a niche vehicle. But even niche vehicles need periodic redesigns, and the 4Runner’s number came up for 2010.

As before, the 4Runner’s claim to fame is off-road capability. While towing capacity is long associated as a benefit of body-on-frame construction, the 4Runner’s 5,000-lb capacity doesn’t shine even compared to many car-based competitors; some blame goes to the loss of the V8 engine option in this generation.

This time, engine choices are limited to a 270-hp, 4.0-liter V6, or for those who can live without four-wheel-drive and with a lot less power, a 157-hp, 2.7-liter four-cylinder. (It’s not that the V8 wouldn’t fit; after all, the 4Runner’s platform-mate, the Lexus GX 460, gets a sweet 4.6-liter V8, but that adds only 31 more hp over the 4.0-liter.) A third-row seat is available.

Our two-row 4Runner SR5 4x4 stickered at $37,425 with an optional moon roof, backup camera, and leather power seats. That price didn’t buy us automatic-climate-control or full-time four-wheel-drive; those features are come with the more-pricey $40K Limited. Their omissions, even at our SR5’s price, inspired logbook gripes.

What else did our testers write in the logbook? Here’s a look:

“Lots of pitching and bobbing, noticeable when you stop.”

“Decent power, but you really need to push the long-travel throttle pedal.”

“HVAC and radio buttons are still obnoxiously large, but the display is on the small side.”

“Noisy engine and fan on cold morning will wake up the neighborhood.”

“Constant blinking ECO light is silly given the average 18.4 mpg I got.”

“The rocker (sill) catches everything kicked up from the front wheels and makes getting in and out a challenge, especially if you’re wearing nice clothes.”

“This thing better be awesome off-road...”

“Ride is relatively smooth at times, but then lots of pitching and rolling. Not the most confidence-inspiring driving experience.”

“Not impressive at all.”

“I prefer our (Kia) Borrego for far less money.”

So it appears that despite the redesign, the old-school 4Runner “seems like a relic from the past,” as one logbook commenter put it. We’ll see how it scores when we put it through the full array of tests at the track

I think my favorite line out of here is “I prefer our (Kia) Borrego for far less money.”

I would rather have a 4 door Wrangler Rubicon.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------You should be buying a manual, because driving a muscle car without that visceral command you get from using your left foot to connect that massive engine to the wheels is pointless.

Doesn't sound as if this will be getting a "recommended" from them unless the logbook starts heading in the other direction.
...It is not advisable, James, to venture unsolicited opinions. You should spare yourself the embarrassing discovery of their exact value to your listener. - Atlas Shrugged

I've seen one or two around. It looks like a melted, bulbous throwback to the 99 era of them. Not pretty. I drove a last gen one on about a 50 mile mixed commute to and from. Not bad but definitely bouncy. The V6 did have decent grunt though.

For the times, the 99 era ones were attractive. The last gen was pretty decent looking in my opinion too.

The new one looks just like every other Toyota SUV, CUV, and truck...bloated and bulbous. Sounds like the interior is winning over fans too. (End sarcasm).

Anyway, all this proves is that CR doesn't understand enthusiast vehicles. From all of their comments, the 4Runner sounds like it's right up my alley. I'll definitely be tacking a look at them a few years down the road.

They ruined a good thing. Bigger, melted and bulbous. All things that didn't describe the previous gen. The 4runner and Taco are the only good things in the Toyota line-up and you must pay a price premium for the Runner. I'd look for the new Tacoma (when it gets here) to get the Toyota due over as well. Once that happens I will officially like NOTHING Toyota sells.
GM to the end.

Gatt:The rear window is a nice, underrated feature Nd, I agree! Kind of like the Ford keyless entry keypad...good GAH those are handy.

The AC in the Bronco smelled musty so I never used it. During the summer, every window would be down. The back window gave a real nice breeze. It was just a pain to have to retract the window when you wanted to open the tailgate. I'm glad to see Toyota has continued with this instead of adopting a hatch like everyone else.

Gatt:The rear window is a nice, underrated feature Nd, I agree! Kind of like the Ford keyless entry keypad...good GAH those are handy.

Nd4spd.:The AC in the Bronco smelled musty so I never used it. During the summer, every window would be down. The back window gave a real nice breeze. It was just a pain to have to retract the window when you wanted to open the tailgate. I'm glad to see Toyota has continued with this instead of adopting a hatch like everyone else.

Gatt:The rear window is a nice, underrated feature Nd, I agree! Kind of like the Ford keyless entry keypad...good GAH those are handy.

Nd4spd.:The AC in the Bronco smelled musty so I never used it. During the summer, every window would be down. The back window gave a real nice breeze. It was just a pain to have to retract the window when you wanted to open the tailgate. I'm glad to see Toyota has continued with this instead of adopting a hatch like everyone else.

Rofl Wafflez:My aunt has that rear window feature in her 2008 Sequoia. Its actually quite innovative.

Well, it's been around for quite a while and the hatch is more practical, but I like the retractable window so much more. Just another reason why I've always liked Toyota SUVs.

Nd4spd.:“Love the retractable rear window. More SUVs should add this.”

Hell yeah! It's a great feature in the summer.

Anyway, all this proves is that CR doesn't understand enthusiast vehicles. From all of their comments, the 4Runner sounds like it's right up my alley. I'll definitely be tacking a look at them a few years down the road.

While I respect CR for compiling reliability data, if you read their auto reviews you get the impression that the perfect vehicle for their testers would be a chauffered Rolls Royce...something big, quite and comfy that they wouldn't have to drive themselves.

I love the new 4Runner. Love the looks (especially the Trail model), and I have no doubt it is an excellent offroad vehicle. It's tough for a vehicle to have good on road dynamics while being a world class off roader. Especially when lacking an air suspension. My only beef about the 4Runner is the price, which has gotten stupidly high. Nearly $31k to start for a base 4WD model?!?!
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::Live as how the world should be, so that it sees what it can be.

"You want to explain why you were going 61 in a 25 zone?""I was drag racing.""In a Prius?""I don't win alot."

wht azn:While I respect CR for compiling reliability data, if you read their auto reviews you get the impression that the perfect vehicle for their testers would be a chauffered Rolls Royce...something big, quite and comfy that they wouldn't have to drive themselves.

I love the new 4Runner. Love the looks (especially the Trail model), and I have no doubt it is an excellent offroad vehicle. It's tough for a vehicle to have good on road dynamics while being a world class off roader. Especially when lacking an air suspension. My only beef about the 4Runner is the price, which has gotten stupidly high. Nearly $31k to start for a base 4WD model?!?!

+1

I see alot of negative comments about the looks but I think this looks great.